(atavistic form) Bio Explanations of criminal behaviour

• Atavistic form

  • Atavistic form is the idea that criminality represents the behaviours of earlier, more savage, pre-human species - like Neanderthals
• Distinct facial features

  • Lombroso argued that atavism also results in criminals having distinctive facial features, such as a heavy brow, strong jaw, and extra fingers, toes, or nipples. Further, Lombroso argued, different types of criminals have typical facial features e.g. he argued that murderers typically have curly hair and bloodshot eyes, whereas sex offenders have swollen and fleshy lips
• AO3-Supporting evidence

  Lombroso collected measurements of the facial features of thousands of Italian criminals, which he used to support his theory
• AO3-Historical influence

  Although not a popular explanation nowadays, Lombroso played an important role in advancing criminology and scientific explanations of criminal behaviour. Prior to Lombroso, explanations of criminal behaviour tended to be religious or moralistic. In providing an evolutionary explanation, Lombroso paved the way for more scientific explanations of criminal behaviour, such as genetics
• AO3-Methodological concerns

  Lombroso did not use a non- criminal control group to compare his measurements of criminals' facial features against. Without comparing the features of criminals against the features of non-criminals, it's impossible to say whether criminals do have distinctive features that differentiate them from non-criminals, as Lombroso claimed.